Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Don't worry, Bish, we're used to not having your support

The bishop of Spokane, Washington has issued a statement that he would prefer that his priests and seminarians do NOT participate in the 40 Days for Life vigil.

In a statement Friday, the diocese of Spokane said priests should place emphasis on education about the abortion issue above confrontational tactics.
“The present political environment has become very toxic and polarizing, to the point that people have become fixed in their positions, especially in regard to abortion, and are unwilling to talk to each other,” the diocese says in its statement. “The pastoral challenge is to get people to take a second look at the issue of abortion.”

The clergy simply do not understand the fact that abortion has been allowed to continue unabated because they will not take a lead in this. They have been weak and lacking in leadership on an issue that both Pope Benedict and Blessed Pope John Paul II have called the most foundational issue to be defended.

40 Days for Life began precisely because the laity saw the need and it was not being met by the church. So they took matters into their own hands. This is what David Bereit means when he says 40 Days is a "grassroots" movement, it begins with the ordinary lay person and will continue, whether the clergy support it or not. We are not dependent upon the church for support for this movement.

When I hear negative responses from clergy about 40 Days for Life, I find myself thinking of this Scripture passage:

Gamaliel advises the Sanhedrin,

Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
- Acts: 5:38-39

I wonder where Jesus would be if He were here today? quite possibly breaking up the equipment in an abortion clinic. We just stand on the sidewalk and pray for God's will to be done.